Today, Virginia State Sen. Chap Petersen’s (D-34th) Bill no. 712, to allow the formation of a George Mason University branch campus in Inchon, South Korea was unanimously passed by the Senate Higher Education Sub-Committee.
Senate Bill 712, will give Korean students the opportunity to take classes at the S. Korean branch campus then transfer to the Fairfax campus. Mason students in Fairfax would also able to study abroad in Korea.
“This partnership will establish a long-term alliance between GMU and South Korea, and effectively have a positive economic impact in Virginia,” said Petersen.
According to the GMU Provost, Peter Stearns, if this educational program comes to fruition, the GMU campus could ultimately attract upwards of 2,000 students.
The full Senate Education and Health Committee will hear the unanimously passed bill in the coming weeks. Petersen represents Virginia’s 34th State Senate district, which includes Fairfax City and much of Fairfax County.